Cotswolds Bank Holiday Bonanza

There are so many great events going on in the Cotswolds this August Bank Holiday weekend. Here’s just a selection. Visit our What’s On page to see all the events.

Traditional and quirky

Football in the River (29 August)
Bank Holiday Monday sees the return of one of the Cotswolds’ quirkiest events – two teams from Bourton Rovers Football Club play a 30 minute football match in the shallow waters of the River Windrush in Bourton on the Water. Kick-off is at 4pm. Make a day of it and enjoy a village fete from 11am and a picnic or lunch in one of the many cafes and restaurants near the river.

Winchcombe Country Show (29 August)
A bumper show is planned for Bank Holiday Monday in Winchcombe, with a Rio-themed procession, Morris dancers, vintage tractors, traditional flower show, Indian Runner Duck herding, go-karting and much more!

Festival fun!

The Big Feastival (26-28 August)
Jamie Oliver’s feel good festival of food and music for all the family takes place on Alex James’ farm in Kingham this Bank Holiday weekend. There are still a few day tickets left for Friday / Sunday.

Treefest at Westonbirt Arboretum (27-29 August)
Over 100 exhibitors, an array of delicious food and live music, lumberjack athletes demonstrating their skills and lots of family activities including tree climbing, crafts, storytelling and puppets.

Stroud Fringe (26-28 August)
A FREE music and arts festival with four stages, parades, street entertainment, creative workshops for kids and delicious food and drink. Independent venues across the town also celebrate the festival with their own events. Colourscape will also be returning to Stroud for the second year with their new Festival Two Colourscape, which features walk-in structures of colour and light.

Tadstock (26-29 August)
This annual music festival, run by the Transforming Lives Charity, offers a weekend of live music from emerging talent, delicious food, woodland DJ sets, break-dancing lessons and much more, all powered by the planet!

History brought to life

Kenilworth 750 (28-29 August)
Commemorating the 750th anniversary of the Siege of Kenilworth, this weekend will bring history to life with dramatic battle re-enactments. Learn about life during the siege and relive the drama.

King John Medieval Weekend (28-29 August)
Step back in time to the 13th century at Berkeley Castle this Bank Holiday and meet King John and his men and discover living history displays to learn how the Castle was confiscated in 1216. There are also medieval cooking displays, arts and crafts, quizzes and trails for families.

Cars, bikes, tractors, falconry and beer!

Blenheim Palace Festival of Transport (28-29 August)
An unmissable event for petrol heads, this 2-day event is packed with classic cars and motorcycles in the spectacular grounds of Blenheim Palace.

Via Roma Festival of Cycling (28-29 August)
Cycling is taking over Cirencester over the Bank Holiday weekend with the Summer Sportive on 28 August and the atmospheric Twilight Criterium on 29 August.

Little Grey Fergie Weekend at Cotswold Farm Park (27-29 August)
Meet well-loved icon Little Grey Fergie, Massey Ferguson’s legendary TE20 tractor, which revolutionised farming in the 1950s. Its rich history will be brought to life with activities and stories.

Frocester Beer Festival (26-27 August)
With a coveted reputation among real ale drinkers, this popular festival offers an impressive selection of 100+ real ales from more than 50 breweries across the UK, along with wines, ciders, and perry, plus music and food.